Ontario Premier Doug Ford's chief of staff, Dean French, has resigned in the wake of damning reports that the Progressive Conservative government's picks for two patronage appointments had ties to French.

In a statement Friday evening, Ford's office said the premier accepted French's resignation in the early afternoon — the same day the government revoked the appointments of Tyler Albrecht and Taylor Shields as agents general to New York and London, respectively.

According to a Globe and Mail report published Friday morning, the 26-year-old Albrecht knows French and his two sons through their participation in lacrosse. The Globe also reported that Shields, an assistant vice-president of marketing for Chubb Insurance, is a second cousin to French's wife.

"There seemed to be a tacit acknowledgement by the secretary that Mr. French was rooting for Mr. Taverner's success. Anyone examining these messages would have serious doubts as to the fairness of the process to the other candidates."

In a statement from the Official Opposition, New Democratic Party MPP Marit Stiles said, "The buck stops with Doug Ford.

"As long as he's plowing ahead with his callous cuts for families, backroom deals for friends, and relentless bullying of anyone who disagrees with him, changing back room staff won't help the people of Ontario who are hurting under the Ford regime."

Ford said French's legacy will be leading a successful election campaign and a successful first year of government.

"I want to personally thank Dean for his hard work, his leadership and his friendship," Ford said in Friday's statement.